Billionaire's Bride

Lost Friend

Janette's dress👆

Janette sighed as she watched him leave, muttering something about his "worthless deal" still being on. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, realizing that this trip, which she had hoped would be a break from the chaos of her life in the past few months, was more like a trap designed by him. It was as if he’d lured her into a snare, and now she was caught. She waited for the lingering drowsiness to fade, letting her thoughts simmer.

Once she was sure she was fully awake, Janette slowly sat up, wrapping the duvet around her half-naked body. She glanced at the door to the closet, assuming that’s where her husband had disappeared to—he had walked in there earlier with just a towel around his waist. Sitting on the royal blue couch near the closet door, she reached for her phone, which had been switched off. No messages. She sighed. If this had been her old life, the phone would’ve been filled with texts from her mom, Ana, and her brother Tom. She set it aside with a quiet sigh. "I feel trapped here," she whispered, closing her eyes and resting her head against the couch.

Half an hour passed before Asher emerged from the closet, fully dressed in a crisp royal blue suit, looking fresh and devastatingly handsome, as always. His hands were in his pockets, his usual expensive watch in place. His tie, however, was missing. Janette couldn’t help but remember the previous day’s incident when she had helped him with that same tie, blushing at the memory. She was lost in her thoughts when he furrowed his brows and shook her slightly.

"On Earth, Jane!" Asher snapped, his voice pulling her out of her reverie. "Are you deaf, Mrs. Norman?" he added, his tone warm yet teasing.

"Jane! He's mocking you!" her inner voice scolded, bringing her fully back to reality.

"It’s the fifth time I’ve called your name," he said with a disapproving look.

"Sorry, what do you want?" she asked, trying to shake off her embarrassment. He gave her another disapproving glance before picking up a paper bag from the chair and tossing it to her.

"Wear this today. We’re having breakfast with investors, and they’re eager to meet you," he mumbled, his hands still in his pockets.

She glanced at the dress inside the bag—a gorgeous, sleeveless pink number that would reach her knees. "What’s the need for this?" she asked, her irritation rising.

Asher pressed his lips into a thin line, his ocean-blue eyes meeting hers briefly. "You need to look presentable in front of them. I’m sure that wouldn’t be possible with the cheap clothes you usually wear," he muttered.

She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, but it hit the door instead.

"You can’t deny that fact," he added with a smirk, but she chose to ignore him this time, storming off toward the bathroom.

…

After her morning routine and a relaxing shower, Janette slipped into the dress Asher had chosen. It hugged her curves perfectly, and she let her hair down, applying a soft pink lipstick and some mascara. Yet, the thought that he didn’t like her usual clothes stuck with her. In her friend group, everyone admired her fashion sense and always asked for her advice, but Asher seemed to be the complete opposite.

"It’s not like I want him to like my clothes… but why does it bother me so much?" she whispered to herself, staring at her reflection. A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Are you ready?" It was him.

Instead of replying, Janette took one last glance in the mirror and opened the door. Asher stood there, his tie in hand. She couldn’t help but smile internally at the sight—there was something endearing about him needing help with such a small task.

Without a word, she took the tie from him and slipped on her heels to reach his height. He didn’t say anything, and for that, she was thankful. Although he looked handsome without the tie, with it, he seemed more powerful—more influential. As she stepped back, she made sure to avoid any chance of repeating yesterday's incident.

Asher cleared his throat and motioned for her to follow him, but not before whispering in her ear, "Don’t mess anything up."

She nodded silently. There wasn’t much choice but to obey him. "For now," she sighed inwardly and followed him out.

The walk to the restaurant would have been beautiful if not for Asher’s hand gripping her wrist and the curious eyes of passersby. Janette could feel their gazes, their reactions varying from curiosity to judgment.

"Of all the men in the world, why did I have to marry him?" she wondered, rolling her eyes internally as they were ushered inside the grand dining room.

The interior was breathtaking—red tiles, flowing curtains, a white ceiling with intricate textures on the walls, and flowerpots adding bursts of color.

"Listen to me carefully, Janette," Asher’s husky voice snapped her back to the present. He looked impossibly sexy standing there.

"What?" she replied, trying to steady her voice.

"Don’t say more than necessary. These are my most important clients, and if they get even a hint about our marriage being anything less than real, there will be consequences," he warned, his tone leaving no room for doubt. She gulped and nodded.

"Good girl," he smirked, his hand slipping to her exposed back, making her shiver. "Come on," he said, pulling her along. "He’s so controlling," she thought.

"Hello, Mr. Norman!" A handsome man in his late twenties stood up to shake hands with Asher. "Mr. Parker."

But Janette was frozen in place when she saw the woman next to him.

"Meet my fiancée, Mr. Norman. Anastasia Rogers."

Janette's eyes widened in shock. The familiar name and face stunned her into silence.

"Janette!" Anastasia gasped, just as surprised.

"Ana," Janette whispered back, her heart racing.